Mary Habila’s father rejects autopsy, wants daughter’s body for burial
The family of Mary Habila, a 26-year-old nurse who died at Minister David Umahi’s home, has formally requested that police stop their investigation. In an affidavit filed in Ebonyi State, her father, Tanko Habila, stated that the family does not suspect foul play and has refused to permit an autopsy.
The father expressed his family’s clear stance regarding the medical examination. “While I welcome steps being taken to unravel the cause of my daughter’s death, my family and I will not accept any autopsy,” the affidavit stated.
The family further requested that authorities refrain from touching her remains and allow them to proceed with funeral arrangements. “I also wish not to proceed further with the investigation and further request to have my daughter’s body released to me for burial,” the affidavit stated.
Habila’s father emphasized that this decision was made independently and without outside influence. “While reiterating our request for the Nigerian Police to release my daughter’s corpse for burial, I wish to state that I was never induced, coerced or influenced in any way with anything or by anybody to make these depositions, as everything deposed here reflects the sincere wishes of my family and I,” he said.
Despite the family’s plea, the Ebonyi State Police Command insists that the investigation will continue. Spokesperson Joshua Ukandu stated that the probe remains essential to determine the true cause of death, and the police are currently arranging for a pathologist to conduct the post-mortem examination.
